Malpaís (landform)

A malpaís (from Spanish mal país, meaning "badland") is a rugged landscape consisting of jagged, barren volcanic rock. It is characterized by its dark color, rough, uneven surface, and general lack of vegetation due to the recent volcanic activity. Malpaís typically forms from basaltic lava flows, often of the ʻaʻā type, which cool and solidify into a chaotic mass of clinker-like fragments. The terrain is difficult to traverse on foot or by vehicle. Malpaís areas are often found in volcanic regions worldwide, including the southwestern United States, the Canary Islands, and Iceland. The term can also refer to other types of badlands landscapes created by erosion, though its primary usage is in reference to volcanic formations.